CHEESE PRICES.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16815, 5 June 1926, Page 6

CHEESE PRICES.

NEW ZEALAND’S HANDICAP. PAY-OUT SYSTEM CRITICISED. A very important matter, and one that vitally concerns the New Zealand dairying industry, was brought under the notice of Friesian breeders at the annual meeting of the South Auckland Association in Hamilton yesterday, when Mr W. R. Wright, who is interested in the breed both in Taranaki and the Waikato, drew the attention o. the meeting to the great disparity in the prices ruling for Canadian and New Zealand cheese. He pointed out that in Dcember last public attentioa had been directed to the serious difference in the price of New Zealand and Canadian cheese, which increased from 6s to 11s in a month and gradually rose to a maximum of 18s. afterwards falling to the present level of 15s or 16s above the prices offering for New Zealand cheese, which was equivalent to a loss of 5d per lb. on New Zealand butter-fat. As over 70,000 tons of cheese were exported to London last year from New Zealand, it was reasonable to assume that 80,000 tons would be sent this year, which striking the average loss at £l2 a ton, represented a loss of £1,000,000 to the New Zealand dairying industry. Jersey Milk Too Rich.

Continuing to speak to the meeting, Mr Wright said it was deplorable what Friesian (or Holstein) breeders received for their cheese. The Holstein cow gave greater solids returns than the Jersey, though the latter was infinitely superior whore but-ler-fat was concerned. More cheese could be manufactured from 100 lbof Holstein than Jersey milk and he had always advocated that Jersey milk was too rich to he used in the manufacture of cheese, end should never be mixed with the milk of other breeds for tho purpose. A system of cheese pav-outs based on tiie solids of milk would have to be made in tile present method of paying out to suppliers. He considered the time was opportune to make representations to the Government lo bring in legislation enabling the milk supply lo factories to be standardised with a view to increasing exports in both quality and quantity and securing a more equitable distribution of payments than at present. Manufacture of Cheese. In a subsequent conversation with d Waikato Times’ representative Mr Wright said the loss in New Zealand cheese prices could bo attributed solely to the large volume or rich Jersey milk used in the manufacture of cheese lor which it was unsuitable and too high in butter-fat content. Canadian cheese was made only from Holstein and Shorthorn milk. The attention of the dairying division of Hie Government had been drawn to those facts and it had been asked to take steps to fix a maximum for fat and a maximum for moisture, as at tho present time a yield of 2.4 only could be got from Jersey milk, while the factory manager who did not produce 2.7 soon found himself among the unemployed. The result was that New Zealand cheese was now a mixture of excess fat, excess moisture and a minimum of solids. Tho London buyer penalised Hie Holstein. Shorthorn and Ayrshire milk suppliers to the extent of 3d lh. butter-fat. Conference To Bo Hold.

To remedy this stale of affairs a conference will be held in Pamcrston North on June 18 between representatives of the three breeds concerned (Holstein, Shorthorn and Ayrshire) with a view to taking slops lo havl. pay-outs made on the cheese-produc-ing contents of milk instead of on a butter-fat basis. “ Butter-fat never made and never will make cheese.2.